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EPA 608 NEC 2023

EPA 608 Core Practice Test 24

This practice test focuses on recovery equipment types, self-contained versus system-dependent, and the difference between recovery and evacuation. You will work through scenario questions about dead compressors and vacuum pumps, plus a full review of venting bans, recordkeeping, and cylinder safety.

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The EPA 608 certification is required by law for any technician who purchases or handles refrigerants. It covers safe handling, leak detection, recovery, and environmental regulations.

Type I covers small appliances (≤5 lbs refrigerant), Type II covers high-pressure systems, Type III covers low-pressure systems, and Universal covers all three. Most HVAC technicians pursue Universal certification.

You must score at least 70% on each section of the exam. The Universal exam has four parts: core, Type I, Type II, and Type III.

Core Exam Tip: If a question describes a dead or seized compressor, the answer is almost always self-contained recovery equipment, since it has its own compressor built in.

25

Questions

25 min

Time

70%

Pass

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EPA 608 Core Practice Test 24 — Question List

Question 1: What makes recovery equipment "self-contained"?

It requires no electricity to run
It can only be used on small systems
It cleans refrigerant to a certified purity standard
It has its own built-in compressor

Question 2: What does it mean for recovery equipment to be "system-dependent"?

It can only recover HFC refrigerants
It works only on systems with no compressor at all
It reclaims refrigerant automatically
It relies on the appliance's own compressor to move the refrigerant out

Question 3: A technician arrives at a job where the appliance's compressor has completely burned out and cannot run at all. Which type of recovery equipment will still be able to recover the refrigerant?

System-dependent recovery equipment
Neither type will work
A vacuum pump alone
Self-contained recovery equipment

Question 4: An appliance's compressor is still running normally when a technician arrives to recover its refrigerant. Which type(s) of recovery equipment could be used in this case?

Only self-contained equipment could be used
Only a vacuum pump could be used
Either self-contained or system-dependent equipment could be used
No recovery equipment can be used while a compressor is running

Question 5: When an appliance's compressor is working properly, why might a technician choose system-dependent recovery equipment instead of self-contained equipment?

It is illegal to use self-contained equipment on working systems
It can use the appliance's own compressor, so it does not need a separate compressor of its own
System-dependent equipment reclaims refrigerant automatically
Self-contained equipment cannot be used on any system

Question 6: What is the goal of "recovery" when using either type of recovery equipment?

To remove refrigerant from the appliance and preserve it in an outside container for reuse
To clean refrigerant to a certified purity standard
To sell refrigerant directly to a new owner
To release refrigerant safely into the air

Question 7: What is "evacuation" in refrigeration work?

Removing refrigerant and storing it for later use
Selling refrigerant to a certified reclaimer
Cleaning oil with a filter-drier cart
Using a vacuum pump to remove air and moisture from a system before charging it

Question 8: A technician uses a vacuum pump to evacuate air and moisture from a newly repaired system, and the pump exhausts to the outside air. Is this legal, even though venting refrigerant is banned?

No, this is also illegal venting
Yes, but only for HFC systems
Yes, because evacuation happens after recovery, so there is no refrigerant left to exhaust
No, evacuation is never allowed under any circumstances

Question 9: Why is it acceptable to release a vacuum pump's exhaust into the atmosphere during evacuation?

Because vacuum pump exhaust is regulated separately with its own permit
It is not actually acceptable, this is a common mistake technicians make illegally
Because the vacuum pump destroys any refrigerant present
Because there is no refrigerant left in the system to protect, only air and moisture

Question 10: After a technician finishes evacuating a repaired system with a vacuum pump, what typically happens next?

The system must be vented one more time
The system is charged with refrigerant
The appliance must be retired immediately
The compressor is permanently removed

Question 11: Since what date has venting CFC and HCFC refrigerant been illegal?

November 15, 1995
January 1, 1990
July 1, 1992
July 1, 1987

Question 12: After using self-contained equipment to recover refrigerant, a technician cleans it on-site and reuses it in the same appliance. What is this cleaning step called?

Reclaiming
Evacuation
Recycling
Retrofitting

Question 13: A company recovers a large volume of refrigerant using system-dependent equipment and wants to sell it to another business. What is required first?

The refrigerant must be reclaimed to AHRI Standard 700 purity at a certified facility
Nothing, it can be sold directly
It must be re-evacuated instead
It must be vented and replaced

Question 14: What yearly leak rate counts as substantial for a comfort cooling appliance with 50 pounds or more of charge?

35%
10%
15%
50%

Question 15: How many days does an owner have to repair, retrofit, or retire an appliance after a substantial leak is discovered?

10 days
30 days
60 days
1 year

Question 16: Which buyer may legally purchase a cylinder of R-410A for servicing a rooftop unit?

Any building maintenance worker
A homeowner with a receipt from a prior purchase
Anyone, since R-410A has zero ODP
An HVAC company that employs Section 608 certified technicians

Question 17: How long must refrigerant purchase documentation be retained?

1 year
3 years
7 years
They never need to be kept

Question 18: While using self-contained recovery equipment, what is the maximum a technician should fill the recovery cylinder to, by weight?

100% of its rated capacity
50% of its rated capacity
There is no limit
80% of its rated capacity

Question 19: While servicing an HFC system that uses PAG oil, how should the technician store any oil that is drained out?

In a sealed metal container
In an open bucket
In a sealed plastic jug
Poured out onto the ground

Question 20: What score must a technician earn to pass the Core section of the EPA 608 exam?

70%
60%
84%
100%

Question 21: True or False: The Core section can be taken open-book for any certification type, simply because the technician requests it.

False
True
Only true for retakes
Only true in certain states

Question 22: What determines whether a refrigerant recovered by either type of equipment has an Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) above zero?

Whether it contains chlorine or bromine atoms
Which type of recovery equipment was used
How full the recovery cylinder is
The brand of the refrigerant

Question 23: R-410A has a GWP of roughly 2088. How does this compare to R-32, which is sometimes used as a lower-GWP alternative?

R-32's GWP is much higher than R-410A's
R-32's GWP, about 675, is much lower than R-410A's
They have identical GWP values
GWP does not apply to R-32

Question 24: A technician skips proper recovery and vents refrigerant instead, thinking it will save time. What is the maximum civil fine that could apply, per day, per violation?

$250
$1,000 total, one time
More than $100,000
There is no fine for time-saving shortcuts

Question 25: A technician's shop only owns system-dependent recovery equipment, but today's job involves an appliance with a burned-out compressor. What is the technician's best option?

Vent the refrigerant since no equipment will work
Force the system-dependent equipment to work by increasing pressure
Borrow or use self-contained recovery equipment instead, since system-dependent equipment will not work here
Skip recovery entirely and proceed with repairs

Study Tip: The EPA 608 exam is closed book. Memorize: recovery is required before opening any refrigerant system. Venting refrigerant is illegal. Know the ODP and GWP values for R-22, R-410A, R-134a, R-32, and R-454B.

EXAM CARD EPA 608

Questions25

Time limit25 min

Pass score70%

RegulationEPA Section 608

DifficultyIntermediate

Last reviewedJun 2026

Timer starts immediately. Progress is auto-saved.

Source: EPA Section 608 (40 CFR Part 82)